Set a New Direction

What exactly is career transitioning and career development?
Think of careers as just the work we do. We will have many jobs in many places. Think of transitions as the mentality we need to have to ride the permanent whitewater that is globalization. The need is to continually review oneself and develop or re-brand accordingly.

What if it’s been several years since I returned from overseas work? Do I still need Career Transition help?
The process that I take people through is a toolkit for managing in today’s fast changing society and workplace. You will no doubt be transitioning again. In fact younger people today will be changing careers and jobs ten times or more in their lifetime. Completing this program will give you a brand new, real time understanding of yourself and how to get aligned with the present and future needs of today’s workplace. This will be invaluable later down the road.

What could you offer for someone who already has their next position lined up, such as teaching? Is "transition support" still necessary?
You may not feel that you a making a major career transition right now. However, our mentality today needs to factor in globalization's dynamic processes. You could benefit from customization of my program, especially the foundational piece (YOU). Email me for details.

How much of my time will this take? I don't think I can manage to dedicate 8 to 12 weeks.
This is an intense process, but that’s not to say you wouldn’t work a “stop-gap” job in the meantime. It is meant to be worked on about 5 hours per week on the materials I give you. Take you and your career seriously - it will pay off in the long run. It is also possible to fast track it to one week, but only if you could dedicate an entire week to it.

Do you help me find a job?
Set a New Direction is not a headhunter or job placement agency.

What about my spouse? Is anything included in this package for them? He / she is not looking for work right now, but they are also feeling a lot of the same effects you described.
There is a discounted price for working with couples. Working overseas involves a spouse like no other job does. The 5 Dynamics tool I use, also has Teaming Reports. These reveal fundamental dynamics we take for granted in any relationship, work or otherwise. This aspect of the tool would definitely benefit you and your partner, whether or not you both seek paying careers. I also deliver just the teaming piece. Email me on this.

Do you offer any transition help for high school grads returning with their families, or on their own?
Yes. There is definitely a need to expose younger people at the beginning of their own work life to these realities. This process will clarify the best next steps for them. It will increase increase their confidence in navigating the global workplace, and increase their likelihood of aligning with those right positions.

Is this strictly career counseling? It seems like you are describing some psychological (or spiritual) issues.
The focus of Set a New Direction is definitely career based. Yet, at the same time, so many other life issues are interrelated. Any “counseling” I might do is that of a “peer” - sharing my own story. My own life has been rich and challenging enough, and I am glad to personally share any aspects that could help others.

What does this cost and how do I pay for it?
The fee is $1,500 CAN for the 4 Phase Program. This is payable by check, credit card or PayPal at the Set a New Direction website. I also provide customized pieces of this program if that works best for you. I offer a free 1 hour consultation where we talk in detail about your situation and whether this program (or parts of it) would be a benefit to you at this time.

Many career support providers charge up to $600 for a really good Resume and Cover Letter. A large business often spends over $4,000 on outplacement for an individual who is downsized - and over $7,000 for an executive. I offer an end to end program specific to major transition with globalization in mind. Investing in yourself is costly, but not doing so is more costly.

Our cash is very limited and we have significant resettlement expenses right now with housing, vehicle, etc. I don't know how I could justify the expense.
I understand that people returning home from overseas work are often not in a position to pay for career consulting and transition services up front. I can offer a flexible payment schedule that would allow you to carry a balance forward over one year. There would be an additional cost (administration fee / cost carrying) but it could be very helpful to get you started as soon as you return home. I guarantee the quality and effectiveness of my program and know that you will be 100% satisfied. Email me, we can talk about the options.

How did you get into this?
In 1998 after floundering for six months after my own reentry, I mentioned my frustration to Pastor Bill Stubbs saying “I have no skills”. He gave me the book, “Finding the Career that Fits You” by Lee Ellis and Larry Burkett. Something clicked and I ate it up. I continued over the next several years of studying and working out my own transition issues (including going back to school twice). The idea of doing this full time was percolating in the background. My own experiences, reading and research led me to develop a unique career transition program that is cutting edge and applies to the realities of globalization today. Ten years after my own reentry, Set a New Direction was launched.

Do you only work with individuals?
No, I also work with Teams